Media Watermark Association Across Types for Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional media monitoring systems face challenges in reliably identifying media presentations due to the use of multiple watermark types with varying signal strengths, leading to uncertainty in determining media presentation continuity and accuracy of records.

Innovation Solution

A media monitoring system that associates different watermark types by leveraging a watermark data structure to correlate watermarks detected within an alignment time threshold, using signal strength and metadata to enhance the precision of media presentation record generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple watermark types are used in media monitoring, then the system can identify different media presentations, but the signal strength varies leading to uncertainty in determining media presentation continuity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewatermark type identificationVSAvoidmedia presentation continuity determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple watermark types into a unified monitoring framework where different watermark types are associated with media presentations through temporal proximity and signal strength thresholds. The system merges the identification capabilities of various watermark types while using a common decision-making process to determine media presentation continuity, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary decision-making process that acts as a mediator between different watermark types and media presentation continuity determination. This intermediary uses alignment time thresholds and signal strength criteria to bridge the gap between varying watermark signals and the need for consistent continuity determination, allowing multiple watermark types to contribute reliably to media identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If primary watermarks have low signal strength, then more watermark types can be detected, but the accuracy of media presentation records decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewatermark detection capabilityVSAvoidmedia presentation record accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting detection thresholds and association criteria based on signal strength. When primary watermarks have low signal strength, the system changes its detection parameters to accommodate alternative watermark types, using modified alignment time thresholds and signal strength criteria to maintain accurate media presentation records while detecting diverse watermark signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by establishing robust association criteria and threshold parameters in advance that can accommodate varying signal strengths. The system pre-configures alignment time thresholds and signal strength requirements that provide a buffer against low signal conditions, ensuring that media presentation records remain accurate even when primary watermarks are weak or when multiple watermark types with different signal qualities are present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the system uses alignment time threshold to associate watermarks, then media presentation continuity can be determined, but the complexity of processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia presentation continuityVSAvoidwatermark processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the watermark processing task into distinct manageable components: detecting individual watermarks, measuring their signal strengths, comparing them against alignment time thresholds, and making continuity decisions. This segmentation reduces processing complexity by breaking down the overall task into simpler, sequential operations that can be handled by standard processing units while maintaining reliable continuity determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12464200B2Apparatus and methods to associate different watermarks detected in media

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 THE NIELSEN CO (US) LLC

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for associating different watermarks detected in media. An example method disclosed herein includes determining whether a first watermark detected in a media signal is represented in a watermark data structure and associating the first watermark with a first media presentation record associated with a second watermark in response to the first watermark being associated in the watermark data structure with the second watermark. The example method further includes transmitting monitoring data including the first media presentation record to an audience measurement entity.